Ducks News

The Mighty Ducks Earn Their First 2005-2006 Pre-Season Win Over the Phoenix Coyotes

by
Staff Writer
/ Anaheim Ducks

On Friday night, the Mighty Ducks finished their two game homestand with a game against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Coyotes would strike first in the opening period as Mike Rupp scored his second goal in as many games. Rupp’s power play tally at3:29 of the opening stanza, which beat Ducks’ goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, was assisted by Ladislav Nagy and Paul Mara.

It looked like the Coyotes would hold onto the lead throughout the opening period, but with just 13 seconds left in the first, Anaheim Mighty Duck Joffrey Lupul scored to tie the game at 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Lupul’s goal was assisted by Sandis Ozolish and Ruslan Salei.

In the first period, Phoenix netminder Curtis Joseph stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced, while Gigure made 11 saves on 12 shots.

In the second period, it was the Ducks that took advantage of their opportunities first when Aaron Rome scored while on the man-advantage to give the Ducks their first lead of the night at 2-1. Former Coyote Keith Carney and Teemu Selanne assisted on the goal.

The Coyotes would answer back at 11:02 of the second period when Fredrik Sjostrom scored shorthanded to tie the contest at 2-2. Sjostrom’s goal was his first of the preseason and was unassisted.

Neither club would score again in the second period as both clubs left the ice after two periods tied at two apiece.

After two periods of play Joseph has stopped 24 of the 26 shots faced, while Giguere has made 14 saves on 16 shots.

At 10:42 of the third period, Tyson Nash scored his first goal of the preseason, while the Coyotes were shorthanded, to give Phoenix a 3-2 lead. Boyd Devereaux and Cale Hulse assisted on the Nash goal.

But the Ducks would answer. While on the power play, Sergei Fedorov found the back of the net at 12:04 of the third period to tie the contest at 3-3. Carney and Ozolinsh each recorded their second assists of the night on Fedorov’s goal.

Just 17 seconds later, while still on the power play, Teemu Selanne gave Anaheim back the lead at 4-2. Carney and Corey Perry assisted on Selanne’s first goal of the preseason.

The Ducks added one final goal with 29 seconds left in the game as Curtis Glencross registered his first goal of the preseason giving Anaheim a 5-3 lead. Fedorov and Lupul assisted on the goal.

The Ducks now start a two game road trip, visiting Vancouver on Saturday and San Jose on Sunday.